Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryS 3635 establishes the "New Jersey Cybersecurity Grant Program" within the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, appropriating $5 million from the General Fund. The program provides grants to financial and healthcare businesses operating in New Jersey that are deemed high-risk for cybersecurity incidents, with a maximum award of $100,000 per business per fiscal year. Businesses must submit applications online and provide documentation like invoices for reimbursement after purchasing qualifying cybersecurity equipment. The bill defines "sensitive businesses" to include financial institutions and healthcare entities operating in the state.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey would join the Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA) through S 3648, allowing EMTs, paramedics, and other licensed EMS personnel to practice across state lines more easily. The bill creates a system where New Jersey would immediately recognize valid licenses from other participating states, and other states would recognize New Jersey licenses, reducing barriers for EMS workers responding to emergencies or relocating. It also establishes shared processes for exchanging information about disciplinary actions (like license suspensions) and supports military personnel transitioning out of service. This compact directly affects licensed EMS professionals who work or move between member states, aiming to improve public access to care while maintaining safety standards.

Maddy summaryS 3650 establishes the Autism Education Council within New Jersey's Department of Education to address educational needs for autistic students. The council, composed of seven members including the Education Commissioner, two qualified teachers (with specific certifications and experience), and representatives from parent and advocacy groups, will develop strategies to expand autism education services and workforce capacity. It requires the council to meet at least six times annually and will provide recommendations to improve public school support for students with autism spectrum disorders. This bill directly affects autistic students, their families, and school districts across New Jersey by creating a dedicated body to coordinate autism education resources.

Maddy summaryS 3680 (Sponsored by Senator Linda R. Greenstein) allows New Jersey municipalities to gradually reduce the population limit for issuing new plenary retail consumption alcohol licenses (used by bars and restaurants). Currently, municipalities can only issue such licenses if they have fewer than one license per 3,000 residents. This bill permits local governments to adopt ordinances that lower this ratio by 200 residents per year over five years, reaching a new standard of one license per 2,000 residents by the 61st month. It directly affects municipalities facing license shortages and businesses seeking to open or expand alcohol-serving establishments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections (DOC) to submit quarterly reports to the state legislature on residential community release programs, including halfway houses. The reports must detail specific data such as reimbursement amounts, inmate demographics (violent vs. non-violent crimes), escape rates, safety measures, physical violence incidents, and disciplinary actions. Additionally, the DOC must annually analyze program effectiveness with a focus on recidivism rates and submit improvement recommendations to the legislature. The bill directly affects the DOC's reporting obligations and provides the legislature with detailed operational data on these reentry programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a confidential resume bank for New Jersey residents with disabilities who wish to be appointed to state boards, commissions, authorities, or similar entities (such as special committees or task forces). The Governor would maintain an online system where individuals can voluntarily submit their resumes, contact information, disability-related details, and preferred state entities. The resume bank would be accessible only to the executive branch and Legislature, not the public, and would include an online list of available appointments. This system aims to streamline appointment opportunities for qualified individuals with disabilities seeking these public service roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time window from 7 to 10 days for workers who leave a job for a new one that later gets rescinded. It prevents disqualification from unemployment benefits if a worker accepts a new job offer starting within 10 days of leaving their current position, provided the new job’s pay and hours match or exceed their previous role, and the rescission wasn’t their fault. The change specifically applies when a worker gives notice to their first employer about a planned departure date, and the second job offer is withdrawn. This adjustment aims to protect workers who face unexpected loss of new employment opportunities after voluntarily leaving their prior job.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Senate resolution (SR 74), sponsored by Senator Linda Greenstein, urges Congress to designate Election Day (the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November) as a federal holiday. It does not create a new law but calls for Congress to make Election Day a national holiday to increase voter turnout by removing scheduling conflicts with work and school. The resolution cites that only about half of eligible voters participate in national elections, with conflicting schedules being a major barrier, and notes that other countries with weekend elections have higher turnout rates. The resolution has no legal effect and serves only as a formal request to federal lawmakers.

Maddy summaryS 3558, the "Made in New Jersey Tax Credit Act," provides businesses a tax credit equal to 25% of the cost of purchasing "New Jersey made" products used in their retail sales or manufacturing. It directly affects New Jersey corporations paying the corporation business tax (CBT) that buy qualifying products for their operations. To qualify, businesses must demonstrate that most of their product purchases could have been substituted with New Jersey-made alternatives, excluding costs for products that couldn’t be replaced. The credit can be carried forward for up to seven years if not fully used in the current tax year. A "New Jersey made" product is defined as one with all or virtually all significant parts, processing, and labor originating in New Jersey, containing negligible out-of-state content.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a tax credit to New Jersey veterans who are totally and permanently disabled due to service-connected injuries or illnesses (such as paralysis, blindness, or amputations). The credit equals the rent a veteran pays for their primary residence, if that rent is treated as property taxes under state law. The credit is applied against the veteran's state income tax, with any excess refunded. It also extends this credit to surviving spouses of eligible veterans under specific conditions.